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Cape Coral's Premier Full-Day Inshore Fishing
- Published Date: August 25, 2025
- Fishing
- Cape Coral
- $450 - $1,150 price range
- Updated Date: November 9, 2025
Summary
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Reel Action Shots
Full Day Fishing Bonanza in Cape Coral
Ready for a day of non-stop action on the water? Captain Todd Collier's full-day guided fishing trip in Cape Coral is your ticket to reeling in some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species. With 8 hours at your disposal, you'll have plenty of time to work different spots, try various techniques, and hopefully fill the cooler with tasty catches. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, this trip is tailored to give everyone a shot at landing the big one.
What to Expect on the Water
Kicking off bright and early from Monroe Canal Marina, you'll hop aboard Captain Todd's Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid – a smooth-riding vessel perfect for navigating Cape Coral's diverse waterways. This isn't your average boat ride; it's a full-on fishing adventure. Captain Todd's years of local knowledge mean you'll be hitting prime spots for Snapper, Permit, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead. And don't worry about bringing gear or getting a license – it's all covered. Just bring your game face and maybe a lucky hat.
Bait and Switch Tactics
On this trip, we're playing it smart with live and natural bait. It's like ringing the dinner bell for fish – they just can't resist. Captain Todd's got the lowdown on what's working best, whether it's threading a shrimp onto a hook or rigging up a frisky pinfish. You'll learn the ins and outs of different techniques, from sight fishing in the shallows to working deeper channels. And hey, if one approach isn't cutting it, we'll switch it up until we find what the fish are craving that day.
Top Catches This Season
While every day on the water is different, anglers have been hauling in some real beauties lately. The Snapper bite has been on fire, with plenty of keeper-sized fish coming over the gunwales. Permit have been making surprise appearances, giving lucky anglers a run for their money with their powerful runs. Redfish and Trout are always crowd-pleasers, and the Sheepshead – well, they're as tasty as they are tricky to hook.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Grey Snapper, also known as Mangrove Snapper, are the craftiest fish in these parts. They're quick to bite but even quicker to spit the hook, making them a fun challenge for anglers of all levels. These tasty critters hang around structure and can be found year-round, but they're especially active in the warmer months. Don't let their average size of 1-3 pounds fool you – they punch above their weight class when it comes to fight and flavor.
Sheepshead are the toothy critters with a face only a mother could love – but trust me, you'll fall for them once you taste them. These striped bandits are masters of bait-stealing, with a knack for nibbling your hook clean without getting caught. They love hanging around pilings and oyster beds, and winter is prime time to target them. Expect a good fight from these 2-4 pounders, and an even better meal if you decide to keep a few for the table.
Sea Trout, or Spotted Seatrout, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing in Cape Coral. These speckled beauties are known for their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky meat. You'll find them cruising grass flats and deeper holes, often in schools. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch them year-round. Most run 15-20 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into a gator trout pushing 24 inches or more.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats, and hooking one is like picking a fight with a freight train. These copper-colored brutes are famous for their powerful runs and their distinctive spot near the tail. We target them in shallow water, often sight-fishing, which adds a whole new level of excitement to the chase. Fall is the prime time when big schools of bull reds come through, but you can find slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) all year long.
Permit are the holy grail of inshore fishing. These wary, disc-shaped speedsters are notoriously difficult to fool, making them a bucket list catch for many anglers. We find them cruising flats and hanging around structure, always on the lookout for crabs – their favorite snack. Spring and summer offer the best shots at permit, and while most run 10-20 pounds, hooking into a 30+ pounder isn't unheard of. Landing a permit is a real feather in your cap, something you'll be bragging about for years to come.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
It's not just about the fish – though that's a big part of it. Folks come back for Captain Todd's easygoing nature and his knack for putting clients on fish. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing trip or you're looking to cross some species off your list, this full-day adventure caters to all. The beautiful backdrop of Cape Coral's waterways doesn't hurt either. From mangrove-lined backwaters to open flats, the scenery is as diverse as the fishing.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, if you're itching to bend a rod and feel the tug of a good fish, this is the trip for you. Captain Todd's full-day guided fishing trip in Cape Coral is more than just a day out – it's a chance to make memories, learn new skills, and maybe even catch your personal best. With all gear provided and Captain Todd's expertise at your disposal, all you need to do is show up ready for action. The fish are biting, the boat is prepped, and your spot is waiting. Don't let this opportunity slip away – book now and get ready for a day of non-stop fishing fun in the heart of Southwest Florida's angling paradise.
Learn more about the species
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are a popular target in Cape Coral. These fish typically run 1-2 lbs inshore, but can reach 20 lbs in open water. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and reefs in 10-100 ft depths. They're opportunistic feeders, so live shrimp or small baitfish work well. Grey Snapper put up a good fight and make excellent table fare with their white, flaky meat. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around full moons when they spawn. These fish have great eyesight and can be line-shy, so using light fluorocarbon leader is key. A local trick is to chum with cut bait to get them feeding, then present your bait in the chum slick. Their swift strikes and tasty fillets make Grey Snapper a fun species for anglers of all skill levels.
Permit
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing here in Cape Coral. These wary, silvery gamefish typically run 10-30 lbs, with trophy specimens pushing 60 lbs. Look for them tailing on shallow flats or cruising near offshore wrecks and reefs. Spring and summer are prime, especially during spawning. Permit have incredible eyesight and are notoriously picky eaters, making them a true test of an angler's skill. Live crabs are the go-to bait, but fooling one on a fly is the ultimate challenge. They fight hard, with blistering runs that'll test your gear and patience. One local trick is to chum with crushed crabs to get them fired up. Whether you're sight-casting on the flats or jigging deeper structures, hooking a permit is an unforgettable rush. Landing one? That's bragging rights for life. Permit aren't known for their table fare, so most anglers practice catch and release to preserve the fishery.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are a prized catch in Cape Coral's shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers, known for the distinctive spot near their tail, typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 lbs inshore. Look for them tailing in water as shallow as 1-4 feet, especially around oyster bars and grass flats. Fall is prime time when they school up for spawning. Redfish put up a stubborn fight, often making powerful runs and head-shakes. They'll hit a variety of lures, but nothing beats a live shrimp or cut mullet on the bottom. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in clear shallows is a heart-pounding experience. One local trick is to use gold spoons – the flash mimics baitfish and drives reds crazy. Whether you're after a trophy catch or a delicious dinner (they're excellent on the grill), Redfish offer an exciting challenge for anglers of all levels.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite inshore species here in Cape Coral. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 lbs, though trophy fish can reach 10 lbs or more. Look for them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love to ambush prey, so working lures like topwater plugs or soft plastics can be deadly. Sea Trout put up a good fight and are known for their delicate, mild-flavored meat. Winter's the best time to target big schools in deeper holes. These fish are light-sensitive, so overcast days or low-light periods often produce better. One local trick is to use a popping cork with a live shrimp – the noise attracts trout and suspends your bait right in the strike zone. Whether you're after a tasty dinner or a sporty catch-and-release, Sea Trout are a blast to target.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are a unique catch in Cape Coral waters. These striped "convict fish" typically weigh 1-8 lbs and hang around barnacle-covered structures like pilings, bridges, and reefs. They're known for their human-like teeth, which they use to crunch crustaceans. Spring is prime time as they form large spawning groups. Sheepshead are crafty bait-stealers, so a sensitive touch is crucial. Use light tackle with small, strong hooks and natural baits like fiddler crabs or shrimp. Getting close to structure is key - I often scrape barnacles off pilings to attract them. The fight can be surprisingly strong, and their white, sweet meat makes great table fare. Cleaning them can be tricky due to tough scales, but it's worth the effort. Sheepshead offer a fun challenge for anglers looking to test their skills against a clever inshore species.
About the Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
